2,000 Borderers on minimum wage

Nearly 2,000 people in the Borders will see a boost to their pay packets when the national minimum wage goes up 20p to £6.70 an hour in October this year.

It is the largest real-terms increase in the National Minimum Wage since 2008, a rise of three per cent and over 1.4 million UK workers are set to benefit from October 1, this year.

The National Minimum Wage for apprentices will increase by 57p an hour to £3.30; there is a 17p (3%) increase in the rate for 18 to 20 year olds, the minimum wage going from £5.13 to £5.30 per hour; and for 16 to 17 year olds it increases by 8p an hour from £3.79 to £3.87 per hour.

Welcoming the new rates Borders MP Michael Moore said: “Thousands of people in the Borders have already felt the benefit of income tax cuts which the Liberal Democrats have delivered in Government.

“The increase in National Minimum Wage is another step in the right direction at a time when things remain tough for many people on the lowest incomes.”

“This is just one of the many ways in which we have created a fairer society while building a stronger economy.

“If you are on low pay, or starting your career through an apprenticeship, you will get more support to help you go further and faster.”

Labour has promised to raise the minimum wage to £8 an hour over the course of the next parliament if it wins in May.